Ford Seen and Heards: Jan. 2

Wednesday, January 03,
2007

Roses to the rescue

The white roses shipped to Grand Rapids as part of the
designated floral arrangements for President Gerald R.
Ford's funeral were not acceptable to designers flown
in from Houston to oversee the process. That's where
Eastern Floral stepped in, at the Ford Foundation's
request, said owner Bing Goei. "They were the same
designers (who assembled) the floral arrangements in Palm
Desert, California," he said. "The roses flown in
here were not in the condition they wanted, and we were
happy and honored to help them out with the best roses we
had."

'Something to be proud of'

Anxious for word on his car as he sat in the Courtesy Dodge
waiting room, 22-year-old Adrian Marti watched the intense
television coverage of Ford with puzzlement until the Puerto
Rico native was informed Ford grew up here. "Here? A
president from Grand Rapids, Michigan? That is
something." When a film clip showed the old South High
School -- Ford's alma mater and the current Job Corps
headquarters -- Marti started grinning. "That's at
Hall Street. A president from there, that's something
to be proud of. You see this is a small world. I like
that." Marti, who lives in Wyoming, also received good
word on the 4-year-old car he had cleaned out his savings to
buy last week: It is under warranty.

Blue memories

Candles, teddy bears, flowers and other remembrances
continue to be left on the Gerald R. Ford Museum sign along
Pearl Street. Also visible Tuesday were signs recognizing
Ford's ties with his alma matter, the University of
Michigan. Signs reading "From the Big House to the
White House. Rest in peace President Ford" and
"Blue 38, Blue 48, hut, hut, hut, GR favorite son,
Gerald R. Ford" were among them.

A peaceful skate

Jeff Wanner, 19, of Pierson, an attendant at the Rosa Parks
Circle ice rink, took in Tuesday's procession before
heading to work. But skaters were hard to come by, despite
the crowds gathering in the city. "I think people just
assumed it was closed because there was so much
commotion," he said. But for Nona Banks, 39, of Grand
Rapids, and her two children, downtown's ice rink was
the place to be. "This is our first time here, and we
just wanted to enjoy the nice weather," Banks said.
"It's so nice and peaceful, it's just a great
experience."

Popular parking spot

There were lots of people renting rooms at the Days Inn on
Pearl Street NW, but that doesn't mean there were a lot
of people staying there. Manager Ken Penland said despite
the thousands who came out to see the activity at the Gerald
R. Ford Museum across the street, business has not picked up
that much. "A lot of the (media) are getting rooms, but
it's more because they want to park here."

Police out in full force

If you're one of the 331 officers who work for the
Grand Rapids Police Department, chances are pretty good your
job has been affected by the two days of events honoring
Ford. "Everybody who was not absolutely essential
(elsewhere) has been assigned to this," Lt. Ralph Mason
said. Mason estimated 90 to 95 percent of the force is
involved in some way. Police cruisers were in short supply,
because nearly all of them were assigned to be either on
patrol or are taking part in motorcades. "In fact, I
wanted to borrow a cruiser today and I couldn't,"
Mason said.

Song story doesn't land church seat

If you're not invited, you're not getting in.

But that didn't stop a steady stream of people from
trying to snag a seat to today's invitation-only
funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford at Grace
Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids.

"Ever since it was announced, they've been
calling," said the church's interim rector.
"And they're just absolutely amazed they
can't just get in."

And it's not for lack of creativity. The Rev. Nixon
McMillan said he has heard some doozies.

"There were some people who, believe it or not, wanted
to join our choir this week," McMillan said.

Others offered suddenly to serve as volunteers at the
church. At least one couple argued they should be allowed to
attend "because we were married in your church."

"What they don't understand is that everyone has
to be approved by the Secret Service," McMillan said.
"I just can't slip my friends in."

'Once-in-a-lifetime' lesson

Brenda Kastner of Grand Rapids brought her home-schooled
sons Benjamin, 9, and Nathanael, 6, to pay their respects to
Ford and be part of history. They ended up being first among
the thousands of members of the public in line to visit the
repose. "We felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for our boys," she said. While the first
spot in line was a bonus, they still waited more than seven
hours. Ever the teacher, Kastner made sure the boys had
plenty of books to keep them busy during the long wait. She
and Nathanael were planning to read "Little House in
the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Finding shelter

The U.S. post office was closed for business Tuesday, but
plenty of people entered the Bridge Street building to keep
warm as they waited for Ford's motorcade. Paul Eckert,
50, of Grand Rapids, arrived at 12:30 p.m. to reserve a
spot. "I parked by the Fish Ladder and just walked over
here," he said.

Worth the wait

It was nothing fancy, but Marine Corps veteran Julian
Arizola of Grand Rapids stood out along the Ford motorcade
route with his handmade sign reading "Gerald R. Ford,
THE Gentleman from Grand Rapids. Welcome Home." Hours
of waiting culminated with a few seconds of excitement when
the hearse carrying Ford's casket turned the corner of
Scribner Avenue and Bridge Street on its way to the Ford
Museum. Arizola clearly treasured the memory. "I think
it was very solemn, but respectful," he said.
"I'll be down here tomorrow with my wife."

Officers on duty

Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan stood alone at
attention outside the Ford Museum as President Ford's
family and those who had attended a brief memorial service
inside left the building. "It was very humbling,"
he said shortly after watching Ford's motorcade arrive.
"It's so important to the many members of our
department to pay our respects." While he didn't
have an exact count, Dolan said the "overwhelming
majority" of the department's officers were on
duty during the Ford memorial services.

An honor for Heartwell

Being a minister and mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell
is accustomed to big audiences. But even he was in awe as he
left a brief memorial service at the Ford Museum where he
gave the invocation. "Here I am with Marty Allen
(former chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation) on one
side and President Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter on
the other with the casket of the president of the United
States. To be able to participate was such an honor for
me."

A camera angle

More than two hours before the plane carrying Ford's
body was scheduled to land, curious bystanders set up
cameras at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport economy
parking lot as state police cars at each airport driveway
secured the facilities. Also helping were Kentwood Police
officers, who staged across the airport.

Flying the flag

Larry Schutte, 42, of Hamilton, said he did not want to miss
the welcoming ceremony and had to present his respects to
the president. To dress up accordingly, Schutte wore a
leather American-flag jacket. "I like the looks of it
and it's patriotic," he said.

Scouts brave cold

In order to show their uniforms, the Scouts who lined up
along the Pearl Street entrance to the Gerald R. Ford Museum
had to brave Tuesday's weather and doff their coats.
The brisk breeze left Scouts young and old shivering.
"Yes, I'm very cold," said William Heeter,
18, from Troop 204 in Ohio. "I don't have any
gloves," he added, looking at his hands, which were
turning purple.

Early bird seat blocked

Carla Ringelberg, of Kentwood, grabbed her spot two hours
early, right along Pearl Street in front of the Ford Museum
where the Ford motorcade was to pass Tuesday afternoon.
Then, a few minutes before the motorcade came down the road,
a batch of Boy Scouts lined up right in front of where she
was standing about 3 p.m. The Scouts were greeted with a
chorus of boos and Ringelberg voiced her displeasure.
"There's nothing they can do about it. They have
to stand where they're told," she said.
"They've been very polite, and we're proud of
their service. I just wish they'd find somewhere else
to stand."

Respect for a fellow Eagle Scout

Eagle Scout Dirk Ritzema, of Lowell, was among more than 400
Eagle Scouts who were the first allowed to visit the Ford
repose. At age 5, he first met the president as the Fords
had been longtime family friends, he said. "It was
somber, surreal," he said. "Basically, you're
saying goodbye to a friend and a fellow Eagle Scout."

'Be prepared' applies to weather

Steve Kuchta, of Grand Rapids, followed the old Boy Scout
motto "Be prepared" as he waited for hours with
fellow Eagle Scouts to view Ford's casket, layering
thermal underwear beneath his uniform to help against the
bracing winds. As he left the repose, Kuchta said he was
moved and grateful for the opportunity. "He was one of
us. He was, as far as I'm concerned, one of the most
humble, straightforward presidents we've had."

Handling media with a smile

Sgt. Jonathan Stein, an Air National Guard reservist from
Grand Rapids, arrived at 5 a.m. Tuesday to begin a long day
of media wrangling. A public affairs specialist and member
of the 110th Fighter Wing based in Battle Creek, Stein
treated the media with same smile and patience by 6 p.m. as
he had 13 hours earlier. "Today was a great day,"
he said, as he coordinated lists of media members preparing
to visit the Ford Museum gallery during Tuesday's
repose. "It was one of the proudest moments of my
career."

Waving a flag for Ford

John Hammer, 51, of Rockford, didn't have to stand in
the cold for more than 15 minutes Tuesday. He waited for
Ford's procession to come off the highway via the Pearl
Street exit ramp, and waved a huge American flag on a pole.
As a teen, Hammer worked on Ford's 1972 congressional
campaign and wanted to welcome the president back home.
"I thought I would come pay my respects and bring the
flag with me," he said. "(Ford) was a good
president and had a lot of integrity. He did a good job in
the office."

Speedy way to downtown

While most visitors fought traffic, struggled to find
parking spots and then had to walk to see the Ford
procession arrive, Don Chaffeer, 68, pedaled right into town
on his bike. It took him less then 15 minutes to cover the
miles between the Gerald R. Ford Museum and his home in East
Grand Rapids, he said. "It's an easier way to get
here," said Chaffeer, adding today he plans to attend
Ford's funeral procession through East Grand Rapids.